Phillips resigns from SOPA

Southern Ohio Port Authority’s (SOPA) Adam Phillips has announced his resignation, with intentions to leave the organization Sept. 28.

In his official resignation to the board, Phillips cited budgetary uncertainty and lack of public funding for the port authority as his main reason for leaving.

“On Monday, Sept. 18, I gave notice to our Executive Director Jason Kester and Board Chairman Bud Sayre of my intent to leave my position as Project Manager for the Southern Ohio Port Authority,” Phillips said in a statement. “My work at the port authority was the most rewarding experience of my professional career, and I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve our great community for the past two and half years. I was able to work with many passionate and dedicated individuals on some very exciting projects and I sincerely hope that the community continues to make progress toward our long term development goals. Some truly spectacular developments are on the horizon and I think that Scioto County and all of southern Ohio has a very bright future ahead.”

Sayre wished Phillips the best and explained that he expects nothing but success in Phillip’s future.

The chairman added that Phillips has found other employment.

“We certainly hate to see him leave,” Sayre commented. “He has been a great asset. His work was impeccable. It’s a huge loss for us.”

Sayre further stated that he is not yet sure if SOPA will be hiring to replace Phillips, saying there are multiple things the board must address first.

“Funding is certainly one of the problems,” Sayre said, explaining that the future of SOPA is not clear.

“I think that’s certainly yet to be determined,” he stated about the entity’s future security.

SOPA currently faces potential losses in financial support previously provided by the County.

Sayre stated that the board will meet again Sept. 28, when they are expected to discuss how to proceed following Phillip’s departure.